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Friday, January 27, 2017

I McLiked It.

So, I knew that Ray Kroc was the man behind McDonalds and I sorta knew that the first restaurant was created by the McDonald brothers, but I have to admit that I had no idea about what happened in between. Was it a happy transition — or a takeover? This film tells that story.

Director John Lee Hancock has a tricky job with Founder. He has to show us the magic of an iconic American brand to make this story matter while simultaneously showing us its ugly insides. He had a similar task with Disney in his previous film, Saving Mr. Banks. In both cases, his films tell these supersized corporate stories in a credible but traditional way that entertains and informs.

While both of his films win at showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit of these legends, they pale in format when compared to an imaginative film such as The Big Short. In Founder, there is a scene where the McDonald brothers tell their origin story to Kroc over a dinner table in the most expected way possible. I couldn’t help but wonder what director Adam McKay would have done with this scene — and this film.

Luckily, Michael Keaton is a dynamo as Kroc and the story is anything but.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

There are over a dozen 2017 Academy Award-nominated films you can stream at home tonight — many are free to those with access to Netflix, Amazon and YouTube.

Hell or High Water

(Nominated for Best Picture, Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay and Editing)

Hell, yes to this modern (but sepia-tone) classic that shouldn’t be missed. Jeff Bridges milks every line on that deserving screenplay.

Rent on Amazon, Google Play or Vudu.

Florence Foster Jenkins (Nominated for Best Actress Meryl Streep, Costume Design)For comedy, Florence hits all the right notes. And Meryl Streep is perfectly awful as socialite Florence Foster Jenkins, perhaps the worst singer in American history.

Rent on Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu or YouTube.

Captain Fantastic (Nominated for Best Actor Viggo Mortenson)Not a superhero film, unless you want to be saved by a wildnerness man who struggles with taking his family into society. Rent on Amazon or Google Play.

Loving (Nominated for Best Actress Ruth Negga)This is the story of Richard and Mildred Loving, the plaintiffs in the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court decision Loving vs. Virginia, which invalidated state laws prohibiting interracial marriage. Buy on Amazon, iTunes, Google Play or Vudu.

Life, Animated (Nominated for Best Documentary Feature)I loved it. It’s the most charming Disney movie that Disney never made. Stream on Amazon, iTunes.

O.J. Made in America (Nominated for Best Documentary Feature)One of the best-reviewed documentaries of the year. Some had it in the short list for Best Picture despite being an 8-episode 30 for 30 from ESPN. It’s seven-and-a-half hours. Stream on Hulu.

13th (Nominated for Best Documentary Feature)13th, titled after the Thirteenth Ammedment which outlawed slavery, is a documentary centerd on race in the U.S. criminal justice system.

Stream on Netflix.

Kubo and the Two Strings (Nominated for Best Animated Feature, Visual Effects)

An animated treat that got lost in the summer shuffle. Join Kubo’s thrilling quest along with Monkey (Academy Award winner Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey) in an epic action-adventure set in a fantastical Japan.

Rent on Amazon or Google Play.

Zootopia (Nominated for Best Animated Feature)Who am I kidding? If you or your kids wanted to see the tale of rabbit Juddy Hopps, you probably have seen it a dozen times by now. If you don't already own it, it's on Netflix.

Stream on Netflix.

The Jungle Book (Nominated for Best Visual Effects)Yup, the beautiful jungle and convincing animals were created with CGI after shooting ended. Stream on Netflix

Piper (Nominated for Best Animated Short)A Pixar treat (it played before Finding Dory).

On Vimeo and on YouTube https://vimeo.com/192590804 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-uzJB9Bc9UThe Lobster (Nominated for Best Original Screenplay)Completely deserving in this category, The Lobster is inventive, witty and very dark. It isn’t a dish for everyone, but if you have Netflix, check it out for free.

Monday, January 23, 2017

Hey girl, take these nomination predictions to Vegas. Tomorrow, La La Land could tie Titanic and All Above Eve's top noms with fourteen, but I predict thirteen — and Moonlight will emerge as the prime underdog with 7 key noms. Here's what's gonna happen in each category:Best PictureArrivalHacksaw RidgeHell or High WaterHidden FiguresLa La Land Lion Moonlight Manchester by the Sea

Spoilers: I’m predicting eight (The H’s, L’s and M’s). If it goes to nine or ten, you’ll find Fences and I, Daniel Blake, Loving or Silence.

Spoiler: No rival awards have a stronger track record of predicting nominees than the Directors Guild of America (DGA) so this list is a solid bet. If there's a surprise, take out first-timer Davis and bet on Ken Loach, I, Daniel Blake (Recipient of BAFTA nom and Cannes' Palme d'Or) or eight-time nomineed Martin Scorsese for Silence.

Spoiler:Maybe "Running" from Hidden Figures, but I'd like to see"Drive It Like You Stole It," Sing Street

Best Production DesignArrival Doctor StrangeFantastic Beasts and Where to Find ThemThe Jungle BookLa La Land

Spoiler:All of above were chosen by the Art Directors Guild Production Design Awards. So did Jackie and Fences and Hacksaw Ridge and Rogue One. If someone else appeared, I'd bet on The Handmaiden

Best Sound EditingArrivalDeadpoolFantastic Beasts and Where to Find ThemHacksaw RidgeLa La Land

Spoiler:Deepwater HorizonRogue One: A Star Wars Story

Best Sound MixingLa La Land Hacksaw Ridge Arrival Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Deepwater Horizon

Spoiler: Deadpool, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Best Visual EffectsArrivalDoctor StrangeFantastic Beasts and Where to Find ThemThe Jungle BookRogue One: A Star Wars Story

Spoiler:Kubo and the Two Strings is an animated film, but could sneak in here if enough people saw it.

Best Animated ShortHappy EndThe Head VanishesInner WorkingsOnce Upon a LinePiperSpoiler:Borrowed TimeBest Live Action ShortNocturne In BlackTimecodeThe Way of TeaSingThe rifle, the Jackal, the Wold and the BOySpoiler:Bon Voyage

Friday, January 20, 2017

A roaring success.

Lion is a true story of Saroo, an Indian boy who was separated from his family at age five. The remarkable work of young actor Sunny Pawar drives this emotional story and drove the audience around me to tears (both sad and happy ones).

The second half of the film abruptly cuts twenty years into the boy’s future. The adult Saroo is played by Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire). It’s an abrupt jump that threatens the full film. Patel, often content to play the smiling approachable dude, steps up and delivers some magic in this role. Clearly, this is his best onscreen work.

No spoilers, but did I mention that the second half also invokes tears (both happy and sad.)? Bring tissues.

Simply put: It’s swell, and you’ll swell. Lion is unforgettable.

Award potential: The film will be nominated for Best Picture and likely Best Director. Nicole Kidman has a big-speech moment and will deservingly receive a nod for Best Supporting Actress.

Dodge this bullet.

Friends who couldn’t join me for Jackie noted they couldn’t wait to see her story and view the costumes. Lucky that they didn’t go; this is not a biopic. It’s a story framed by an imaginary interview of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and its sole purpose seems to be to share an intimate glimpse at her steely determination during the days that followed the assassination.

Of course, all of these manic, intimate thoughts are imagined, so what’s the point in seeing this? Well, there are some interesting thoughts about her role in the marketing of "Camelot,” but that alone does not make these long two hours informative or entertaining. Most likely, the one thing I’ll remember is an absurd, claustrophobic and self-aware movie score that almost brought my local theater to giggles.

And as for enjoying the costumes, there’s not much for the eyes here either. Since the film follows the week of the assassination, you’ve seen those iconic dresses many times already.

Simply put: Camel-not.

Award potential: Natalie Portman’s lean-forward performance as the iconic First Lady will be nominated in the Best Actress category. This is not a Best Picture.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

A popcorn movie with all the right stuff.

Hidden Figures is a crowd-pleaser in the style of those 1990s movies that combined historical moments and personal stories with a light touch that begs you to laugh at comic vignettes, swoon as couples unite and, ultimately, cheer for underdog victories and historical milestones.

It’s a classic production with clearly manipulative storytelling that hits a little too obviously and a little too often. Yeh, it begs the audience to shout “you go girl” every five minutes or something like that, but dang it works anyway. In a season where I’ve been satisfied already with other
innovative films, I can overlook a few trite “dancing in the kitchen” scenes
and a few overwrought, speeches-as-conversation scenes to enjoy this as a whole.

Hidden Figures keeps its focus on celebrating the three overlooked heroines from NASA history. Its heart is in the right place — and we are rewarded.

Simply put: This is not groundbreaking moviemaking, but the glass-ceiling-busting story and irresistible cast makes this choice a charmer for the whole family.

Award potential: Despite unlikely nods in screenplay and all technical and sound categories, I think Hidden Figures will get a Best Picture Oscar nomination anyway. Janelle Monae has the standout performance that the Academy might recognize, but Octavia Spencer has the experience the Academy usually prefers. Having both of these women in the same BestSupporting Actress category may hurt both their chances. Kevin Costner is a wild card for Best Supporting Actor. The Ten Buck Review: Worth ten bucks.

Friday, January 6, 2017

Historically, the Hollywood Foreign Press is as all-over-the-place as Meryl Streep's high notes in Florence Foster Jenkins, but I have an 82% correct prediction rate that could help you win your awards pool (or look really darn smart during the telecast). Here's what's gonna happen:Best Motion Picture – Drama Hacksaw Ridge Hell or High Water Lion Manchester by the Sea MoonlightWinner: Moonlight (It will edge out the equally dynamic Manchester. Both are deserving, but Moonlight’s themes give it an edge as a message and statement the HWP will likely want to reward in these times.)

Winner:La La Land (It’s an original, whiz-bang musical in a category that has rewarded lesser musicals.)Upset:Deadpool (The team that stayed tight to vision for Deadpool could be rewarded for their perseverance and delivery of this well-loved, and about-to-be overhyped, film.)

Winner: Toni Erdmann (This German-Austrian comedy and family-drama has won almost everything so far.)Upset: The Salesman (Iran’s submission, a taut moral drama about a married couple who are acting in Death of a Salesman, may do better with Oscar voters who are actors and artists.)

Best Show MomentsWinners: Jimmy Fallon will delight audiences with a party atmosphere, a likely duet with Troll's nominee Justin Timberlake (ugh), and at least one of his tricks will take off.

He’ll also use the opportunity to toss some tough edgy Trump jokes to distance himself from famously tousling Trump’s hair a bit too friendly for some folks.

The Meryl Streep tribute seems way overdue and should be a showstopper.

Casey Afflek’s speech is the one to watch.

Upset: A real shocker will be if those on stage stay away from political commentary throughout the long night. Let’s hope they stick to the movies and all things la-la-land.